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In Greenland, tidewater glaciers discharge turbid subglacial freshwater into fjords, forming plumes near the calving fronts, and these areas serve as an important foraging habitat for seabirds. To investigate the effect of subglacial discharge on the foraging assemblages of surface feeders and divers in a glacial fjord, we conducted boat-based seabird surveys, near-surface zooplankton samplings, and hydrographic measurements at Bowdoin Fjord, northwestern Greenland in July. Foraging surface feeders (black-legged kittiwake Rissa tridactyla, glaucous gull Larus hyperboreus, and northern fulmar Fulmarus glacialis) aggregated within a plume-affected area in front of Bowdoin Glacier. This area was characterized by highly turbid subglacial meltwater and abundant large-sized zooplankton including Calanus hyperboreus, chaetognaths, and ctenophores near the surface. Surface feeders fed on these aggregated prey presumably transported to the surface by strong upwelling of subglacial meltwater. In contrast, divers (little auk Alle alle, thick-billed murre Uria lomvia, and black guillemot Cepphus grylle) foraged outside the fjord, where turbidity was low and jellyfish and Calanus copepods dominated under the influence of Atlantic water. Our study indicates spatial segregation between surface feeders and divers in a glacial fjord; surface feeders are not hindered by turbidity if taking prey at the surface, whereas divers need clear water.

Retreat of calving glaciers worldwide has contributed substantially to sea-level rise in recent decades. Mass loss by calving contributes significantly to the uncertainty of sea-level rise projections. At Bowdoin Glacier, Northwest Greenland, most calving occurs by a few large events resulting from kilometre-scale fractures forming parallel to the calving front. High-resolution terrestrial radar interferometry data of such an event reveal that crevasse opening is fastest at low tide and accelerates during the final 36 h before calving. Using the ice flow model Elmer/Ice, we identify the crevasse water level as a key driver of modelled opening rates. Sea water-level variations in the range of local tidal amplitude (1 m) can reproduce observed opening rate fluctuations, provided crevasse water level is at least 4 m above the low-tide sea level. The accelerated opening rates within the final 36 h before calving can be modelled by additional meltwater input into the crevasse, enhanced ice cliff undercutting by submarine melt, ice damage increase due to tidal cyclic fatigue, crevasse deepening or a combination of these processes. Our results highlight the influence of surface meltwater and tides on crevasse opening leading to major calving events at grounded tidewater glaciers such as Bowdoin., Journal of Glaciology, 66 (255), ISSN:0022-1430, ISSN:1727-5652

The Tenth Symposium on Polar Science/Ordinary sessions: [OG] Polar Geosciences, Wed. 4 Dec. / 3F Seminar room, National Institute of Polar Research

Environments along the coast of Greenland are rapidly changing under the influence of a warming climate in the Arctic. To better understand the changes in the coastal environments, we performed researches in the Qaanaaq region in northwestern Greenland as a part of the ArCS (Arctic Challenge for Sustainability) Project. Mass loss of ice caps and marine-terminating outlet glaciers were quantified by field and satellite observations. Measurements and sampling in fjords revealed the important role of glacial meltwater discharge in marine ecosystems. Flooding of a glacial stream in Qaanaaq and landslides in a nearby settlement were investigated to identify the drivers of the incidents. Our study observed rapid changes in the coastal environments, and their critical impact on the society in Qaanaaq. We organized workshops with the residents to absorb local and indigenous knowledge, as well as to share the results and data obtained in the project. Continuous effort towards obtaining long-term observations requiring involvement of local communities is crucial to contribute to a sustainable future in Greenland.